Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 7th May 2008 18:11 UTC, submitted by Dan Warne
As we all know, the Eee PC, running a modified Xandros, has been a major hit for Asus, and because of that, also a major hit for Linux. The device proved that a computer with a pre-installed Linux distribution can still be s successful machine, and many hoped that this would push Asus and other vendors to produce more computers with Linux pre-installed. This hope could be in vain after all if the new Windows XP-based Eee PC has anything to do with it.
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Member since:2008-04-10
People seem to forget the ACCC is utterly useless. You hear about them once in a blue moon, and they rarely ever win. If they couldn't beat Telstra, they aren't likely to beat Microsoft. They're not even likely to challenge Microsoft, even if they have a mile of paperwork thrown at them TELLING them to do it.
Member since:2007-02-17
People seem to forget the ACCC is utterly useless. You hear about them once in a blue moon, and they rarely ever win. If they couldn't beat Telstra, they aren't likely to beat Microsoft. They're not even likely to challenge Microsoft, even if they have a mile of paperwork thrown at them TELLING them to do it.
I don't care. I have at least two solid lines of complaint to present to the ACCC, which the ACCC's own web pages say are valid things to bring complaints about.
The first is discriminatory pricing, or predatory pricing. In every other country it appears that the price of the Linux version with 20GB storage is the same as the Windows version with 12GB storage, but in Australia alone there is a differential.
The second complaint is product tying. If I want the 12GB model ... I am forced to buy Windows. If I want the Linux version, I am forced to buy the 20GB model. I'm not yet sure if I can get Windows on the 20GB model or not ... but either way there is certainly a case to present a claim of product tying.
So, when I am sure these announcements are official ASUS policy, then I will prepare a letter of complaint to the ACCC pointing out the ACCC's own policies and rules and how this product line is breaking them.
I will also send a copy of my letter of complaint (for their information) to a few suitable organisations:
http://danny.oz.au/free-software/
http://www.osia.net.au/
http://www.linux.org.au/
http://www.osv.org.au/
http://www.opensourcelaw.biz/
... and see what develops from there.
At the very least, it should prove interesting.
Edited 2008-05-10 06:26 UTC
Member since:2006-12-07
I guess that it is illegal elsewhere, but Microsoft was able to do it anyway. Maybe is hard to prove. Besides, XP is an "old" operating system, it should become cheap.
But, as someone mentioned here, Microsoft is willing to sell their product at discount price, or give it away, more often than in the past. I think that Microsoft has reached its upper limits.
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Member since:
2007-02-17
I don't think there was a conspiracy behind it.
DG
Regardless of any thought of "a conspiracy behind it" ... it still remains illegal in Australia to engage in what amounts to "predatory pricing" ... which the giving away of Windows XP in order to forestall people from using the Xandros alternative ... would certainly amount to.
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/816375
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predatory_pricing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_Practices_Act_1974